Ken Whisenhunt's journey in the world of football began as a player before transitioning into coaching, where he spent several decades shaping his career. Born on February 28, 1962, in Augusta, Georgia, Whisenhunt attended Georgia Tech, where he played college football as a tight end. His performance at Georgia Tech caught the attention of NFL scouts, leading to his selection in the 12th round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.
Whisenhunt's playing career in the NFL spanned several teams. He started with the Atlanta Falcons, where he played from 1985 to 1988. During his time with the Falcons, he demonstrated his skills as a reliable tight end, contributing both in receiving and blocking. After his stint with the Falcons, Whisenhunt joined the Washington Redskins in 1989. He spent a brief period with the team before moving to the New York Jets, where he played from 1991 to 1992. His playing career concluded with the Jets, marking the end of his time on the field as a player.
Transitioning from playing to coaching, Whisenhunt began his coaching career in the NFL in the late 1990s. He initially served as an assistant coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 1997, focusing on tight ends. His coaching abilities were soon recognized, and he moved on to the Cleveland Browns in 1999, where he continued to work with tight ends. The following year, he joined the New York Jets as a special teams coach, further expanding his coaching repertoire.
In 2001, Whisenhunt's career took a significant turn when he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as their tight ends coach. His tenure with the Steelers proved to be a turning point, as he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2004. Under his guidance, the Steelers' offense flourished, and the team achieved considerable success. Whisenhunt played a crucial role in the Steelers' victory in Super Bowl XL, where they defeated the Seattle Seahawks. His strategic offensive planning and play-calling were instrumental in the team's championship run.
Whisenhunt's success with the Steelers opened the door for head coaching opportunities. In 2007, he was appointed as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. During his time with the Cardinals, Whisenhunt led the team to new heights. The pinnacle of his coaching career came in the 2008 season when he guided the Cardinals to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. Although the Cardinals fell short against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII, Whisenhunt's leadership and tactical acumen were widely acknowledged.
After several seasons with the Cardinals, Whisenhunt's tenure as head coach ended in 2012. He then joined the San Diego Chargers as their offensive coordinator in 2013, where he continued to demonstrate his offensive expertise. His work with the Chargers' offense was well-regarded, and he played a role in the team's playoff appearance that season.
In 2014, Whisenhunt took on another head coaching role, this time with the Tennessee Titans. However, his time with the Titans was challenging, and he was released from his duties in 2015. Despite the difficulties faced during his tenure with the Titans, Whisenhunt's overall coaching career remained respected in the NFL community.
Throughout his career, Ken Whisenhunt was known for his strategic mind and ability to develop effective offensive schemes.
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